BW Media Spotlight

The DC Universe has not fared well whenever Dan DiDio gets his way with it. He wants everything darker, less fun, and less heroic. The opposite of what makes the DC Universe so enjoyable to most fans. When Batman isn’t dark enough for you what you get is the parody made real. You know, that part about how dark and broody Batman is supposed to be. Then there’s the constant shake-ups to the point where there isn’t a status quo. Rebirth fixed all those flaws so naturally he undid all of it as soon as he was back in full charge. However, we aren’t talking about DC’s universe but the comics that contain their stories.

Last year DC broke out Zoom and Ink, two titles that were supposed to reach younger audiences. While they’ve gotten into libraries and bookstores they really haven’t seen much impact in comics. Back in the 1990s DC created Vertigo, a creator-run darker imprint that was separate from the DC Universe outside of Swamp Thing, but he and Constantine are now DCU regulars. It had the horror stuff. All three of these are going away as DC restructures their branding. While Vertigo’s disappearance may not be the best move, what they’re doing with Zoom and Ink is actually something I would do if I ran DC Comics so take that for what it’s worth. I think it’s a good idea. Of course they’re still screwing part of it up because that’s what DiDio does best, but it may be their first smart move since tossing out Rebirth and putting Brian Michael Bendis on Superman, thus ruining everything they were getting right. So I expect it to be ruined right fast.

Continue reading →